99mTc DTPA transfer/permeability in patients with HIV disease.

Lung 99mTc DTPA transfer/permeability has been widely used to assess the integrity of the lung alveolar-capillary interface. The use in HIV positive patients to provide a rapid assessment of causes of breathlessness or fever is discussed in this overview. There is I believe a clear role for this technique in this group of patients. It is more sensitive than Gallium-67 scanning in defining lung disease and is capable of distinguishing between alveolitic processes and bacterial infections of Kaposi sarcomatous infiltration. The 99mTc DTPA transfer/permeability can also define the absence of lung involvement in those patients with a fever to allow more suitable investigation to proceed. The 99mTc DTPA transfer/permeability measurement is a rapid, easy method of evaluating patients with HIV disease. Depending on the clinicians philosophy it can be used as a basis to initiate treatment or at the very least point to the next necessary investigation.